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Best Kitchen Flooring Options For Your Home

July 30, 2021 by My Affordable Flooring

Before deciding to renovate your kitchen, it’s important to consider what types of kitchen floors you’re going to use. While it’s fun to pick out cabinets, hardware, and countertops, your kitchen flooring is important, too! When you think about it, the floors are the one thing that stands out the most in a kitchen.

There are many types of kitchen floors, from budget-friendly vinyl to natural hardwood floors, there are plenty of affordable kitchen flooring options for you to choose from! It’s all about what the best kitchen flooring options for your home.

Here’s our list of kitchen flooring options to get you started:

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is timeless and classic. It’s by far the most sought-after flooring. It brings an immediate sense of elegance and unmatched beauty to not only just your kitchen but your entire home.

Due to their gorgeous, warm aesthetic, hardwood floors are an incredibly desirable flooring material, and this is no exception for homebuyers. Installing hardwood in your kitchen can skyrocket the value of your home. Other kinds of flooring products come close but they can never completely replicate their glowing natural beauty. They’re also durable and guaranteed to last for centuries.

On the downside, hardwood floors require a good bit of maintenance. They’re more difficult to clean and susceptible to scratches. These types of floors are also incredibly porous, so when they’re exposed to water or moisture over the long term, they can warp. Lastly, there’s the cost of hardwood. High-quality hardwood flooring runs from $ 4 – $12 a sq. ft., so expect this material to be a bit harsher on the wallet.

If you’re thinking of installing hardwood in your home but feel it may be out of your budget, engineered hardwood is an option rather than solid natural hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood is more water-resistant, friendlier on your wallet, and better for the planet. Plus, it looks pretty close to the real thing!

Laminate

Laminate has been a go-to in the flooring world for quite some time now. Nowadays, there are tons of laminate designs to choose from, and they’ve become the perfect cost-efficient alternative to hardwood flooring.

While laminate flooring is not an exact match to wood, with the help of modern technology, it can look pretty close to the real thing. It’s also easy to install and takes no time at all to do as a quick DIY project, since laminate floors are made to lock together, making it consumer-friendly.

Laminate flooring is very affordable and will usually cost around $2 – $5 per sq. foot. That comes in significantly cheaper than other flooring types, and especially hardwood. It’s also a good investment as laminate flooring is typically pretty durable and very easy to replace.

Some of laminate flooring’s lesser qualities can be justified by its affordability. Of all the downsides of laminate flooring, installing it in your kitchen could result in it having to be replaced sooner rather than later. This is because laminate is not very moisture-resistant, so spills or any sort of contact with water over time can be detrimental to your laminate floors. Unfortunately, the lifespan of laminate and the risk of exposure to too much moisture can make it undesirable for a lot of homebuyers, which means it wouldn’t add a lot of value to your home.

In conclusion, laminate flooring is an amazing choice for someone who just wants flooring to get the job done. It’s affordable, it looks great, and it’s easy to install. However, because of its lack of durability and how prone it is to being damaged by moisture, it isn’t the most ideal material for a kitchen.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the most popular form of residential kitchen flooring. This is primarily because it’s very low-maintenance, moisture-resistant, budget-friendly, and long-lasting. It’s also pleasant to walk on due to the ability to insulate under the material. Even better, vinyl flooring is able to look better than ever these days due to advanced technology, giving you a seemingly limitless amount of options to choose from.

That being said, vinyl flooring does have its downsides. It’s a little easier to scratch than the alternatives such as tile. It’s also vulnerable to water penetrating the top layer of the flooring (the top of vinyl is water-resistant, underneath is not), so being rough with your floors or overcleaning could produce some unfortunate results. On top of this, vinyl flooring is rather difficult to repair.

To sum it up simply, vinyl flooring is an incredibly cost-efficient option for your kitchen and it doesn’t look too bad either! On the other hand, if you have pets or you’re in general a bit rough with your floors, it may not be the right choice for your kitchen.

Tile

Tile is a great flooring option for the kitchen. It not only looks elegant and clean, but it’s also a breeze to maintain and incredibly durable. There’s a vast selection of tile options to choose from-including quarry, marble, porcelain, and ceramic. To make matters even better, modern printing technology can generate pretty much any design you can think of on your tile floor! Tile is incredibly versatile, so it’s sure to fit the ideas you may have for your kitchen.

Tile flooring has a nearly impenetrable surface that’s extremely tough and durable. Tile flooring will last for an extremely long time, is water-resistance, and cannot easily be scratched. A tile floor needs very little cleaning unless something is spilled on it, making it the perfect material for kitchens. Perhaps the best part of this is that tile flooring is also cost-efficient; making it possible to get a quality porcelain tile for $4 per square feet or less!

Nothing is perfect, so there are of course a few cons that come with tile flooring. The biggest downside to tile is that it can get especially slick when wet, creating safety hazards in your kitchen, especially if your tile is glazed. Tile flooring is also susceptible to cracks and chips if heavier items are dropped on them. Lastly, older homeowners and those that suffer from knee or foot problems might have some difficulty standing tile, as they’re solid and rough surface and provide no support, unlike hardwood or vinyl flooring.

In all, tile is the ultimate option for kitchen floors. Though it has its flaws, it is still to this day the kitchen flooring option that offers the most durability, aesthetic value, and it can save you a lot of money compared to the other options!

My Affordable Flooring is Here to Help Find The Right Kitchen Flooring Option For You

There are a lot of different flooring options and making a decision can be difficult, so if you’re looking to have new floors installed for your kitchen, we would love to help! Our ultimate goal is to meet your budget needs and providing you with the best kitchen flooring options for your home. If there is anything we can do to help you, please feel free to contact us!

Benefits of Hardwood Floor Sanding

September 26, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

Hardwood floors are our life’s blood. We commit ourselves to this industry because we care. A beautiful hardwood floor elevates the beauty of your home. One way to optimize how elegant your floor looks is to get a hardwood sanding and refinishing treatment.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of hardwood floor sanding.

1. Save Money

One way to really save money in the long run? Hardwood floor sanding treatments. Why? Because sanding your hardwood floors increases their lifespan. If your floor is showing minor signs of damage, then a sanding treatment will significantly slow the damaging process. Getting your floor professionally refinished with a sanding treatment also costs less than completely replacing an old hardwood floor. Neglecting damage to save money up front can actually end up costing you much more in the long run.

2. Increase the Value of Your Home

Whether you are selling your home or looking to buy a new one, a refinished hardwood floors increases the home’s value. Not only does it make an impression on anyone who sees it, but also shows proper homeowner behavior for keeping up on maintenance. Potential buyers will love that you practice regular upkeep, especially on endeavors such as hardwood floor refinishing.

3. Decrease Risk of Pests

When you’re floor has cracks and holes in it, pests are known to exploit those imperfections for nesting. A refinished hardwood floor makes it virtually brand new. That means no cracks, holes, or splinters for sneaky little bugs to creep into. There’s nothing worse than an infestation in your home. It’s bothersome, expensive, and frankly gross. No one wants bugs living in their floors. Revitalize your old hardwood floors with a sanding treatment.

Contact Us Today!

We’re proud to offer hardwood floor refinishing service in Milwaukee, throughout Southeast Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois.

With over two decades of experience as professional floor refinishers serving the Wisconsin/Illinois area, we’re proud of our company’s reputation for providing affordable, high-quality hardwood floor refinishing services.

UV Floor Curing is the Way of the Future

July 28, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

Ultraviolet (UV) curing is the most efficient way to cure hardwood floors. Curing the hardwood floor with UV light takes seconds, not days. Why wait so long when the job can be done quickly using UV light?

How Does UV Floor Curing Work?

Most floors are cured by oxygen, and it takes up to a week to fully cure them. On the other hand, UV cured floors stay soft until the UV light hits them. This is because the finish has photoreactors in them that only cure when exposed to UV light. So once the light hits them, it cures instantly.

What are the Benefits of UV Floor Curing?

Curing your floors with UV light has more benefits than you may think.

UV finished floors are nearly twice as hard as pre-finished floors and floors cured with non-UV finishes.
The UV floor finishing cures in seconds, instead of the 30 days that some conventional finishes can take.
UV cured floors are odor-free and produce zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making them a green choice for home and business owners concerned about the environment.
Because they’re harder, UV finished floors are more scratch resistant, scuff resistant, and resistant to marks from shoe heels and soles.
UV cured floors resist stains and chemical intrusion better than non-UV floors.

Tips to Keep Your Floor Looking New

You just had your floor cured by UV light, which means you have one of the most durable floors available. But there are some precautions to make note of so that your hardwood floor is always in the best possible condition.

Don’t let water pool on your floor at any time, and don’t “over wet” your floor when cleaning it. Just use a damp mop or sponge to clean it.
Do not let shoes with spikes or “spike heels” to be worn, as these can indent the wood.
Never wax your floor, as waxes can dull the finish. In fact, if you wax your floor you may need to have the entire floor sanded down again and re-coated.
Don’t use harsh chemicals that could damage the floor’s finish, such as pine soap, ammonia, oil soap, or bleach.

Contact My Affordable Flooring Today!

My Affordable Flooring has the best technicians in Milwaukee and the most affordable prices. We would love to talk to you about how we can elevate the quality of your floors with our UV curing service.

Call us today 262.653.1120

Why You Should Install Hardwood Floors in Summer

June 21, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

Summer is here and the June air in Wisconsin brings so many great opportunities. One of those opportunities you may not have thought about? Installing a new hardwood floor! Why would summer be a better season than winter, spring or fall?

Of course, we consider any time a great time for a new floor. But summer months bring with them some variables that make installing a new hardwood floor easier and more convenient.

Summer Vacation While Your Floor Gets Installed

We figure that a new floor installation can be somewhat of a burden. The room is not really accessible for a while. It can be dirty, and our professional floor technicians need your space to get the job done right.

If you want a new hardwood floor, and plan on going out of town sometime this summer, why not do both at once? While you are out enjoying the summer with family and friends, we can install a new floor for you. Then, when you return, you’ll have a brand new hardwood floor waiting for you.

This way, you can avoid the inconvenience of the process. There can be some noise and smell associated with the process, the room cannot be used until the job is done, and you may be planning a trip away with your family for a week or so. Make a smart choice, and get both done at once.

Does Summer Humidity Affect Hardwood Floor?

Yes, wood floorboards are hygroscopic. That means that the wood absorbs or expels water depending on its surrounding environment. So, much like a cold, dry winter changes the appearance of your floor, so too do the humid summer months ahead. In the winter, you may notice cracks and spaces between the floorboards. This is because in winter there is less water in the wooden floorboards, so they are smaller.

However, in the summer, there’s more humidity in the air and more water within the wood floors. That means the wood increases in size. Poorly installed or old wood floors can become damaged by this fluctuation in the state of the wood. However, most of the time, a regularly heated and cooled house will not see too much change in this respect.

It is a good idea to keep a dehumidifier around in the summer just to make certain there is not excessive moisture in the air. A smart installation team will also let the wood acclimate in the house for a while to make sure it’s all uniform in size and moisture retention.

Install New Hardwood Floors Today!

Any time is a great time to get new hardwood floors. My Affordable Flooring has the best technicians in Milwaukee and the most affordable prices. We would love to talk to you about how we can make your summer vacation even better by having beautiful, new hardwood floors waiting for you when you return!

Choosing Floors for Resale Value in Milwaukee

May 30, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

Whether or not you’re planning on reselling, choosing the flooring that boosts the value of your home is a must. However, with an abundance of options at a homeowner’s disposal, it can be hard to decide on one. So, we’re going to dive into the best floors for resale value.

Firstly, homeowners who choose hardwood floors will almost always see a return on their investment.

Resale Value of Hardwood Floors

Besides strength and elegance, a hardwood floor is the first thing people look for when buying a home. According to a report from The National Association of Realtors, homeowners who installed hardwood floors recovered 91 percent of their investment on average. Likewise, the report says that homeowners who refinished their hardwood floors saw a full return on their investment.

In addition, tile floors can increase a home’s value.

Resale Value of Tile Floors

Tile floors can help homeowners boost their home’s resale value. While hardwood floors will likely see the most return, tile is a breath of fresh air. According to a post from Realtor, homeowners can expect an average of 70 percent return on investing in ceramic tile and 55 percent on porcelain tile. Consequently, Realtor reports an average of 55 to 70 percent return for stone tile and less than 50 percent for marble. If you’re interested in tile, see our post on the benefits of installing ceramic tile!

While hardwood and tile reign supreme, they can be expensive. So, homeowners can benefit from installing carpeting in their home.

Resale Value of Carpet

Carpet does provide a comfy flooring option. However, it won’t help your home’s resale value. According to Home Advisor, homeowners who plan to sell will find better resale value with hardwood floors. That doesn’t mean that you should opt out of carpet flooring. Carpet is cheaper to install, easy to clean and works well in rooms with a lot of foot traffic.

Much like hardwood floors, laminate floors are a great way to mimic hardwood, but won’t see the same return.

Resale Value of Laminate Floors

Homeowners who aren’t in the market for hardwood floors can benefit from laminate floors. Laminate floors are multi-layered floors made from numerous materials. While they may be mistaken for hardwood, their resale value is up in the air. According to a post from Sapling, homeowners benefit more from installing natural hardwood rather than laminate. Homeowners have a better chance of reselling their home when they install hardwood.

Now that you have a good idea of what flooring options will boost the value of your home, you should reach out to a local flooring company to get started.

A Final Word on Floors and Resale Value

Whether or not you’re looking to sell your home, choosing a floor that will hold up is essential. No matter your plans for the future, installing good flooring will save you time and money in the long run. For your flooring needs, call on My Affordable Flooring for flooring installation and repairs!

Choosing the Right Wood Species for Your Hardwood Floors

January 27, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

There are many different species of wood to choose from for your hardwood floors. There are also many different flooring alternatives that can mimic hardwood floors. But with so many different species of wood, how can you know which will work best for you?

To help you choose, here are some different species of hardwood floors, their benefits, and how they fare on the Janka scale.

Popular Woods for Hardwood Floors

Red Oak

Red oak is the most commonly used species of wood that homeowners choose, and for good reason. It is hard yet relatively inexpensive.

The Janka Scale, a scale that measures the hardness of wood, rates oak at 1290. Considered a harder species, red oak is more durable than other hardwoods that rank high on the Janka Scale. And yet, according to Home Advisor, the national average cost of oak floors per square foot is only $2 to $6. This is the least expensive compared to walnut, which costs $8 to $16 per square foot according to Floor Critics.

Walnut

Walnut is also a very popular choice for homeowners looking to install wood floors. A very soft material for hardwood floors, walnut ranks at 1010 on the Janka Scale. And although walnut has a low rating, it is still a popular flooring species. In fact, according to a blog from CT Floor Supply, walnut floors are easy to clean, and they are resistant to chips and stains. Walnut also works well for custom flooring.

Hickory

Hickory has a very slick and elegant look that will surely impress anyone that walks through your house. Because hickory is a very hard wood that ranks 1820 on the Janka Scale, it’s an ideal choice for those in need of tough floors. However, for those looking to do a custom installation, hickory may not be the best choice. That’s because, according to a blog post from Home Reference, hickory can be a difficult material to cut and sand.

For those with children or pets, having a softer species may be the best bet.

Mahogany

Mahogany is the softest species in this list, scoring 800 on the Janka Scale. It is, however, still an extremely durable and stable species that offers longevity. Plus, it is known for its resistance to water damage and wood termites.

Having a strong, durable floor is good in cases where a lot of people may be moving throughout the house, or if you live in a temperate climate.

Narrowing Down Your Choices

Choosing the right species of wood for your hardwood floor ultimately comes down to preference. There are, however, technical and stylistic factors that still come into consideration. For example, you may want a softer type of wood for durability or a harder species that can hold up to foot traffic in your home.

If you live in the Milwaukee, Racine, or Chicago areas and are considering hardwood floors, call My Affordable Flooring for a free quote. Or learn more about our custom hardwood flooring services here.

Cupping, Crowning and Buckling: How They Affect Hardwood Floors

January 20, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

There are many different types of hardwoods with their own individual strengths. Whether one is more durable or decorative, your floors are always susceptible to conditions such as cupping, crowning, and buckling.

Whether it’s the humidity in your home or water seeping into the hardwood, it’s important to know the common signs of water damage. Here are three signs of water damage to look for on your hardwood floors.

1. Cupping

Cupping occurs when moisture gets trapped inside of hardwood floors. This trapped moisture causes the floorboards to sink in the middle, making the edges rise up. According to a post from Wagner Meters, cupping can occur from leaking water or humidity changes in your home.

Finding the source of water early on will negate the chance of having to invest in new hardwood floors.

2. Crowning

Crowning is the opposite of cupping and causes your hardwood floors to arch up, giving them a bumpy feel and appearance.

The first step in fixing crowned floors is finding the source of moisture. A video from Build Direct points out that you shouldn’t install hardwood floors in a room that contains a lot of moisture. Before installing your hardwood floors you should make sure your subfloor is dry to avoid trapping moisture. Most importantly, having a professional inspect your floors will narrow down the problem and offer the best solution.

Moisture can make your floorboards separate and absorb more water, which we discuss next.

3. Buckling

Buckling is a product of water damage that causes your hardwood to drift apart and lift up from the subfloor. According to Hunker, buckling is usually the product of water damage and high humidity. However, it can happen when the hardwood isn’t properly acclimated to the room it’s in.

There are a few things you can do to resolve buckling floors. The main thing you need to do is locate the source of water that’s seeping into the floorboards. Look for appliances such as dishwashers or pipes under the sink. If water is in the subfloor, removing the excess water will resolve the problem and bring the boards back together over time. If all else fails, call on a professional to rule out any other possibilities.

Tips for Preventing Water Damage to Your Hardwood Floors

Keeping a close eye on your hardwood floors should be standard procedure for homeowners. While the hustle and bustle of work and children may occupy your attention, it’s important to keep an eye out for problems with your hardwood flooring. Catching sources of water early on can prevent defects to hardwood floors.

Remember: You can reduce water damage to hardwood by immediately cleaning up excess water and drying out floors with a dehumidifier. For long-term prevention, you can have your home inspected for leaks in pipes or your roof.

Next Steps for Fixing the Damage to Your Hardwood Floors

It’s hard to keep an eye on every aspect of your house but water damage to hardwood floors can cause a headache. Water damage to hardwood floors can be easy to catch but may have lasting effects on the wood if not found in time.

It’s important to know a good flooring company that specializes in hardwood floors, as they can better assist your flooring needs. Trust My Affordable Flooring for hardwood floor repair in the Greater Milwaukee area. Call us today for a free quote.

Where to Install Vinyl Flooring

December 23, 2018 by My Affordable Flooring

Vinyl flooring offers a cost-effective alternative to floor your home. But where are the best places to install it? Whether it’s your house or your office, there’s a place for vinyl flooring.

This article explores what vinyl flooring is, the benefits of it, and the best places to install it.

What Is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl floors consist of tiles that are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), urethane, fiberglass, and foam gel.

A vinyl tile consists of three layers: the base layer, the visual layer, and the finish layer. These layers support one another to give you an absorbing and comfortable feeling that you don’t get with hardwood floors.

Pros of Vinyl Flooring

So many homeowners choose vinyl tiles for their homes because it offers so many benefits. For instance, vinyl tiles offer an inexpensive flooring material that works in any room of your home. Vinyl tile is also a low-maintenance material, easy to install, and adds comfort when you walk. And HGTV says that vinyl tiles are the main replacement method for cracked tile and flooring.

If you’re not sure if vinyl is right for you, read 5 Bedroom Flooring Ideas That Aren’t Carpet to explore some other options.

Where Can I Install Vinyl Flooring?

Over an Existing Vinyl Floor

According to a video from FlooringMyLife, you can add a new layer of vinyl flooring over existing tile. It’s important to consult a manufacturer or professional if you are unsure about anything before installing, however.

Kitchens

In a room where messes occur on the daily, a vinyl tile may be the solution for keeping your floors clean. Vinyl flooring is a low-maintenance material that’s easy to clean. Vinyl floors are also pretty resilient to liquid absorption, making cleanups a stress-free chore. This liquid resistance of vinyl tiles makes it a great choice for messy spots.

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are susceptible to moisture getting trapped; vinyl tile can help reduce that. Since vinyl flooring is almost maintenance-free, it makes cleaning up wet messes from your post-shower walk through an easy clean.

It’s important to know that vinyl tiles are not entirely invisible to damage from water and normal wear. Most vinyl tile manufacturers carry extensive warranties for their products, however, so that doesn’t need to be a deal breaker.

Your Office

Having a business is a financial investment, and so is the way you present it. Unfortunately, having a nice floor can break the bank for some people. That’s where going vinyl can help. For instance, according to My Home Advisor, the average cost to install vinyl flooring is $357. Compare that to an average cost of 1,830 for natural stone tile and $4,240 for wood flooring.

Worried that a cheaper floor will reflect poorly on you? Fear not, vinyl tiles come in many designs that can mimic ceramic tile and even wood flooring.

What Type of Flooring Is Best for Me?

Your home is both a sanctuary and an on-going project. If you’re thinking about installing new flooring, call on My Affordable Flooring. We can help you understand the many options available to you, and help you find the best ones for your lifestyle and budget.

Signs Your Home’s Hardwood Floors Need Replacing

December 9, 2018 by My Affordable Flooring

Hardwood floors are tough, but they aren’t invincible. Wisconsin’s harsh weather conditions can cause damage to your floors that may call for replacing. And the high cost of installing hardwood floors can put a damper on improving your home.

From water damage to discoloration, here are the signs that call for getting your hardwood floors replaced.

Common Signs of Damage

Long-time Wear and Tear

We’ve all walked through the house with our dirty shoes and boots on before, probably thinking nothing of it. The problem is, those walks may have caused damage to the floor.

Shoes and boots can cause physical damage that ruins the appearance of your hardwood floor. Moving furniture also causes scratches and scuffs, and it can put holes in your floor that ruin the integrity of your floor. The common solution for small scratches is sanding and refinishing, however, scratches that are deeper than 1/8″ call for a replacement. Small holes can be fixed with a filler, but large holes call for replacing your floorboard.

Learn more by reading Hardwood Scratch Repair: A Guide for Homeowners.

Water Damage

Leaking water in your home is never a good sign. My Home Advisor lists broken/leaking pipes and groundwater as the two most common causes of water damage to your hardwood floors. When your hardwood floor absorbs water, it can cause a number of problems. If your floors are discolored or appear wet, there’s a good chance that water’s seeping into your floor. The solution for water damaged floors are to either refinish or replace, but you should call on a professional to get the job done right!

Learn more about our Milwaukee area floor repair services here.

Seasonal Damage

Wisconsin’s fluctuating climate may have you turning the heat up one day and opening your windows the next. Unfortunately, sporadic temperature changes can affect your hardwood floors. According to a blog post by Wagner Meters, high humidity levels can cause hardwood floors to absorb more moisture. The moisture trapped causes gaps in the flooring.

When you look at your floors, look for gaps. Large gaps in your flooring may mean it’s time for a repair.

Cupping

Another side effect of water absorption in hardwood floors is cupping. Cupping happens when the middle of the floorboards sink in, causing the edges to rise up. According to Wagner Meters, this can happen due to an imbalance of humidity or when your floor absorbs an excessive amount of moisture.

Remember that cupping isn’t always bad, however. Floorboards naturally warp due to changes in humidity, and the boards can regain normal shape once humidity levels return to normal.

Repair or Replace: What Should I Do?

Scratches, holes, and wet floors are signs of damage that ruin the appearance and stability of your floor. While something as small as a scratch can be a quick fix, it’s important to consult a professional.

For consultation on all your flooring needs, turn to My Affordable Flooring. You can trust us to restore your floors for a reasonable price. Contact us today for a free quote!

Hardwood Scratch Repair: A Guide for Homeowners

November 28, 2018 by My Affordable Flooring

What if you could renovate your home while saving thousands of dollars?

Over the years, your beautiful hardwood floors are going to get scratched and scuffed. And many homeowners think the best solution is to replace the floors entirely. However, replacement is a costly and frustrating process. Meanwhile, hardwood scratch repair is both easier and more affordable.

Keep reading to learn more about how to fix scratches on wood floor!

old piece of scratched hardwood that needs repair

Clean Beforehand

If you’re interested in how to fix scratches on wood floor, we know you’re eager to get started. First, though, you must thoroughly clean the floor area.

With a sturdy rug and specialized hardwood floor cleaner, you can easily scrub the affected areas. You’ll want to ensure the entire area looks clean, though your primary focus will be the cracks themselves.

After scrubbing, use a simple rag and water to rinse the area. Be sure to let it dry before you proceed to the next step.

Fill It In

The next step is to fill in any cracks in the wood. All you need to do this is a stick of wax.

Start by rubbing the stick of wax over the cracks until they are properly filled in. If the wax isn’t going into the cracks on its own, you may need to use a putty knife in order to shape the wax into place.

The wood wax you’ll need for this process is available in a variety of colors, including a clear coat. Be sure to select the color that is best for your wooden floor.

Get Buff and Stuff

The final step in the traditional hardwood scratch repair process is to buff the scratch. To begin, get a soft cloth and start rubbing it over the affected area.

This repetitive motion accomplishes two specific tasks. First, it helps to further clean the area and ensure that the repaired wood looks better than ever. Second, it helps to buff the wax you’ve put down, further helping your hardwood stand out in the eyes of anyone who visits.

Your ultimate goal with this process is to have a floor that looks shiny and new. Don’t stop buffing until you have a floor you can be proud of once more!

For Small Scratches

The process detailed above assumes that you have scratches large enough or deep enough to require this level of restoration. For smaller scratches, you may be able to use simpler solutions.

For instance, some small scratches can be filled in with a blending pencil. This is a one-step restoration process, and the only tricky part is finding the pencil shade that perfectly matches your floor.

If you have small scratches caused by a family pet, then you may want to use this homebrew solution: Mix olive oil and apple cider vinegar in a cup in equal measure and then place small amounts in the affected area. Leave it there for a day and then rub the area out. Your hardwood should look good as new!

Hardwood Scratch Repair: The Bottom Line

Now you know why hardwood scratch repair is so easy and affordable. But what if the floor damage is more severe?

At My Affordable Flooring, we are devoted to restoring your hardwood without robbing your wallet. To see how affordable we can be, contact us for a free quote!